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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

No Contact Support thread - anyone interested?

810 replies

52andblue · 30/12/2020 11:56

Anyone want to join me?
(I'm currently on Day 6)

I won't go into huge details but I am trying to maintain NC with a narcissist (diagnosed, amongst other dx...) who has been in my life on and off for 30 years and mirrors a Narc relationship with my Mother. I've all the 'intellectual understanding' of it, but find NC hard.

OP posts:
Ntwa · 13/01/2021 17:16

52 yes it is..the only way I'll get my way is by him having everything his way.. I need to keep telling myself that

52andblue · 13/01/2021 17:44

Hello @BoredOfItAll and welcome!

NC around / since Christmas time after 5 years is no mean feat -well done! I am trying to go NC after a similar length of time but also the same length of time with my NC 25 years ago (so, two 5 year chunks with a loooong gap, iyswim). They do get 'embedded' don't they?
But I can see how even a fairly short relationship is hard to extricate from when the other person is a narcissist - with all the love bombing that can involve at the front end of the relationship. That is not who they really are though - the real them is what you get once that wears off.

Thank you for the video resource - it is excellent!

OP posts:
BoredOfItAll · 13/01/2021 18:07

Thank you @52andblue. I'm definitely not there yet. I just know what I want to achieve, like everyone on here, but it's still bloody difficult. I'm sorry that you have two to deal with.
I definitely identify with the way @wetasstenalady is feeling - especially the anxiety and panic, and I felt like this a lot last year. I just knew deep down this wasn't normal but kept going along with it all anyway. I found that reading up as much as possible on NPD has helped at least understand what I am dealing with.

52andblue · 13/01/2021 18:19

'I'm definately not there yet'

The thing is it is not linear. You have a 'good day / few days' and then, esp if there is a trigger / contact -WHAM you are right back where you started. Except you are not - you are practising the skill (of valuing yourself above NC) all the time. Eventually, like riding a bike, we will be able to just 'do it' with out really thinking about it / too much effort.
And a great cheer will go up from me, for myself and all of us too xxx

OP posts:
Margie32 · 13/01/2021 20:23

Hi @BoredOfItAll, everything you say in your first post rings so true with me, and the video is excellent, the lady is so clear in her message and doesn’t beat around the bush!

My NC called me tonight - I didn’t answer but she left a message saying she wants to meet up on Sunday to talk. Fuck. She also said that she is bored of running on her own - it’s the activity we always did together and how we became close in the first place. So she’s basically saying that she needs someone to run with because heaven forbid it not be all about her and what she needs.

I feel exhausted even thinking about meeting up with her. Obviously I really miss her but I have also been feeling so much more stable without her and I know if I meet her I’ll get sucked straight back in and probably end up apologizing for a whole load of things which weren’t even my fault. If I do agree to meet then I know I’ll have to plan it really well so that I say what I need to say and don’t get sidetracked by my emotions.

Why is it so hard? Why can’t I just walk away?

SnowyWinterDays · 13/01/2021 21:05

Hello...can I join? Thanks for the video and bored your post makes a lot of sense.

I'm not NC as such but I need to join to remind myself not to initiate and to not invest when he messages me.

I'm completely hung up on him, it was toxic. Was a mainly online relationship and he never made time for me.

Logically I can see it's ridiculous I'm still crying everyday but I just can't seem to move on. I'm full of anxiety too 😥

SnowyWinterDays · 13/01/2021 21:08

I went NC for a month which didn't help, talking to him and getting nowhere does help. I've wrote lists of the negatives ( lots), doesn't help. Nothing seems to help!

BoredOfItAll · 13/01/2021 21:25

@52andblue you are so right about the trigger! There's the curve ball thrown and you're right back to the start again like a jibbering mess.

@Margie32 that's how it starts - nothing wrong with a harmless run - but the NCs pull you in :-( it's never just a run or just a chat or meet up because it pushes all the buttons

@SnowyWinterDays Hi Snowy it's my first day posting on here too. I am trying to beat the anxiety by making an effort to distract myself. It is not easy during lockdown!

ToffeeNotCoffee · 13/01/2021 21:35

Resisted the urge to do happy new year message.

Me too. Unfortunately I have a narc sibling. I am LC rather than NC. So I've crept on to this thread, hope no one minds.

I used to wish them Happy New Year, how was Christmas ? Because I knew damn well they wouldn't do the same for me and without that excuse I didn't know when I would next hear from them. This year I stopped crawling and begging for their attention.

Recent parental bereavement has bought odd sense of freedom from them. I stood up to narc over various arrangements. For the first time I thought, 'shh, the adults are talking' also, 'get over yourself' came into my thought processes as well.

I'll send birthday and Christmas cards. But that's about it. I've unfollowed them on Social Media too.

Oh, and as if to prove some sort of point, their spouse wrote the Christmas cards to us this year (at narcs instruction I suspect). Pathetic. So the cards weren't printed with sibling and sibling in law on the front. The card sent on behalf of their children didn't refer to how we were related either. Driving their point home, much ? Oh purleeze.

I sent cards in the normal manner. My view of the cards received was, 'well, you do that then.'

ToffeeNotCoffee · 13/01/2021 21:45

right about the trigger! There's the curve ball thrown and you're right back to the start again like a jibbering mess.

This^

I felt ambushed by their SM posts so I went from a continual 30 day snooze i.e. every time I saw a SM post (when the current 30 days was up) from them I hit the 'snooze button' again.

Should I see their name on a text alert it makes me panicky. It's the closest I've ever come to the dread of hearing their key in the door. (Some women even though divorced remark on the dread feeling when they heard their stbxh front door key in the lock. Even if they weren't being abused it was still a dread feeling.)

ToffeeNotCoffee · 13/01/2021 21:47

I felt ambushed by their SM posts so I went from a continual 30 day snooze i.e. every time I saw a SM post (when the current 30 days was up) from them I hit the 'snooze button' again.

To unfollowing them completely.

FreeAt50 · 14/01/2021 01:17

So I think I'll be joining you. I've not used this site for 15+ years since I was having my babies but I'm back, having left my husband then having had the fortune to meet a narcissist. What luck!
Just found him on dating siteS, not for the first time. It's been like a drug, this relationship. I am deeply in love with him, bordering on obsessed. However it's true that you do one day wake up and think NO MORE. We've been together for 2 years this month. I think I'm almost as pissed off that I spent too much on him for Christmas than the fact I've caught him touting his wares yet again!
I'm going to wean myself off. He's working away so it's easier right now. By the time he's back I'll have gone NC. I can't do cold turkey as I WILL fail.
Looking forward to your support and to supporting you x

Margie32 · 14/01/2021 06:36

@ToffeeNotCoffee you sound amazing, so strong! That dread of seeing their name pop up on an alert is so familiar to me, and yet it’s something I long for too.

Welcome @FreeAt50. I hear you on the drug/obsession thing, that’s exactly how I feel about my NC person too. But our dignity and self-respect has to take precedent.

I have agreed to meet her on Sunday. It’s a mistake but I feel that there is too much left unsaid, if I ran into her now (possible because we work at the same place) it would just be so awkward. I don’t really know what I’m hoping to achieve by meeting up but I’ve got 4 days to plan it. Wish me luck!

ToffeeNotCoffee · 14/01/2021 08:38

@Margie32 thanks. Good luck with your planning and with meeting on Sunday.

2021sunshine · 14/01/2021 08:58

Morning all. Total name change. I’ve dipped in and out so many times in the past to read the support you all give regarding no contact.

Room for another one? And it’s a huge complex one. But I’ve spent far too long waiting for him to see what’s in front of him and have finally realised I’ll never be enough for him - not as a friend, lover or anything else.

This has been going on for over a decade. But it’s time. Fuelled by the fact I strongly suspect he’s started seeing someone else and I am not going to be the fall back option or enduring friend that gives him advice anymore.

Ntwa · 14/01/2021 09:28

Margie I hope your meet up goes well.
Sunshine welcome

Ineedaslap · 14/01/2021 14:07

Welcome all new ones to the thread. Sorry I haven't read back.

I caved and messaged so annoyed with myself. Day 2 NC now, have had a reply, now need to not reply back. Which is easier said than done of course...

52andblue · 14/01/2021 14:22

Welcome to all newbies :)
@2021sunshine
@FreeAt50
@SnowyWinterDays

and recently joined ones too

I will get back later this evening, but it's my Birthday today so spending time with the kids doing Birthday stuff ;)

OP posts:
Ineedaslap · 14/01/2021 14:31

Happy Birthday @52andblue enjoy your day!

MsKL · 14/01/2021 16:17

@Margie32 I hope your meeting goes well. Be strong.

Happy birthday @52andblue, hope you have a lovely day.

Hi sunshine

Oh no @Ineedaslap. Read through any notes you've made. Do you want to be in touch again and in the same situation?

I've had a busy day up to now, many telephone appointments. I started crying again talking to my life coach. Everyone has been so helpful though. I'm able to appreciate that I'm lucky at times, for example when I can't sleep at night Ann's don't have to worry about waking someone, or when I want to go to bed because I'm tired and I don't have to cuddle and express my love for an hour first Hmm I was never allowed to just go to sleep or he would get upset that I didn't love him or didn't want sex Hmm .. every night!

Other times it's too quiet and I feel so alone, but I'll get there. Right now I'm watching what I want on TV.

Amblu81 · 14/01/2021 16:42

I have just rejoined after being on here many years ago. Joining this thread as need willpower not to contact someone! He has been my friend on and off for 17 years, I seriously fancy him and always have. He was there for me when my ex refused to be involved when I discovered I was pregnant (he came round eventually and then this friend then upped and left to another county and didnt speak to me for years!), he has helped me through rubbish times at work and generally been a good mate. I recently told him I wish things had gone further between us which then led to some very intense sexting! He literally shows no feeling or compassion and obviously just is using me for a little light relief! Hmm

Anyway, I am gutted with the way things have ended up. I told him to back off before Christmas, which he did, but it started again last week.... my fault. We had agreed to meet up to discuss and clear the air a couple of times but he had backed out. Probably a cop out but maybe not as he is now stuck at home working and homeschooling his kids. Yes, he is married too.

As much as it breaks me, it wasnt meant to be but I miss hearing from him, especially as lockdown#3 is really getting to me. In between the xrated messages, we have such a laugh together. I am literally not going to talk to him and have told him not to contact me until we can meet in person.

2021sunshine · 14/01/2021 18:59

Thank you for the welcome.

So here we are on day one of no contact.

I have managed to ascertain that he is active on WhatsApp. This means that despite me calling out on his shitty behaviour over the last few weeks he hasn’t blocked me. This is surprising as normally he likes to take control. I readded him as a contact called Liar Liar. That name will change over the next few weeks I’m sure. I am leaving him unblocked due to two reasons. 1) gauge his mood if he messages 2) blocking him will fuel the fire as he will see me as more desirable. He can see my progress profile and last seen and know I’m alive and well.

I have found out how to view messages without last seen changing too so don’t have to feel like I should reply as seen them. Nor will he then follow them up with Cat got your tongue or come on......

I haven’t been on WhatsApp since lunchtime and have messaged those who I normally contact to tell them to use messenger or text. I did this a few days ago in anticipation of this happening. I have also closed all my social media accounts ( as well as blocking him on Facebook - we weren’t friends). So when he looks on his stalker profile he just won’t see me. I did tell him I was taking a social media break. This is true but again removes mechanisms for him to stalk and won’t cause bells to ring.

For now I think he’ll stay away. This is a pattern but he will reappear in time of that I am sure. That is what I need to work on. My reaction and actions so I’m not pulled back in.

Last time it was 10wks following me finding out he was seeing someone else. Then he made a play for me. We argued. I was in a bad place. He blocked me. We got back in contact. Kept it as friends but tbh the first time we met he tested me and we both knew it was a matter of time. Last a few weeks. Then I found out he was still seeing her. I’d been too scared to ask.

He split up with her just before Xmas apparently. I have no doubts he’s keeping her in the wings too.
I already sensed there was someone else then. Stuff wasn’t making sense over the Christmas and New year period. Inactive for long periods, early nights yet not home, then he had a massive go at me about how he was single, can do what he liked. I hadn’t even shared any of my suspicions with it or challenged him on his whereabouts. That sealed it for me- his was being defensive and pushing me to an argument so he could pave the way. I saw him out with someone driving.

Can’t be certain it wasn’t innocent but I knew then my instincts were right. A new liker has appeared on his profile picture. She also is a follower of his on another new social media account. Hers is open with one post from years ago. Strange someone who doesn’t post is suddenly on his followers and also now liking his fb pics. I know the score. I’m not dumb. She’s on POF too as newly single. We have a mutual friend who knows all about the toxicity he can bring. I’ll soon know if I’m right! She seems lovely.

For context he’s single after ending a seven year relationship last year. I’m married. My involvement with him is from before I was married. We have been in regular contact throughout and the last 2 years ago it’s been full on. For me it challenged my entire moral compass. I know i deserve a flaming for that. Unfortunately I have been totally in love with him for many years. That’s ending now though. He’s always been my weakness though.

The lovely parts of him are fantastic and when he’s being honest it’s great. However he does his destructive path and then it’s awful. We both have suffered with low self esteem and confidence and we feed off each other.

Sorry that’s long but I needed to get it all out.

2021sunshine · 14/01/2021 19:01

@Amblu81 welcome.

The lack of feelings is a hard one when he comes from them. Especially if you have given it to them.

2021sunshine · 14/01/2021 19:02

@FreeAt50 I believe I read the thread where you found out about his online profiles. That was very hurtful and you weren’t wrong in your instincts.

Good luck.

BoredOfItAll · 14/01/2021 20:34

@52andblue Happy Birthday to you. I hope for your sake that there hasn’t been any NC antics to spoil your day